The Smiths, 1985

(Updated 08/10/17)

Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield reminds us that one of rock’s greatest bands, The Smiths, from Manchester, England, broke up 30 years ago this week. To commemorate, Sheffield has ranked all 73 Smiths songs, with notes and videos. I was pleased to see “How Soon Is Now” in his top 5. “The Headmaster Ritual” (at #39 here) would also be near the top of my list. “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” winds up at #1 almost automatically. Hats off to Sheffield for marking the occasion & putting this together.

Why It’s Great The Smiths Broke Up    (RS 08/09)

The Smiths: The Open Secret of “Girlfriend in a Coma”   (RS 08/10)